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Covadonga

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City
—°6
Covadonga (Spain)
ℹ️

Practical info — Covadonga

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🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

  • Visit the Basilica and the Holy Cave early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the biggest crowds, especially in summer.
  • Private car access to the Covadonga Lakes (Lagos) is restricted in high season. Use the public buses that depart from Cangas de Onís and the car parks near Covadonga.
  • This is a holy site. Please dress respectfully, especially when entering the Basilica and the Cave.
  • Legend says that whoever drinks from the fountain beneath the Holy Cave will be married within a year. Give it a try!

🍽 Food

🍽
Arroz con Leche (Rice Pudding)

The Asturian rice pudding is creamy and often served with a scorched, caramelised sugar top. Look for it in restaurants in the area around Covadonga.

🍽
Pitu de Caleya

A traditional dish of free-range chicken, slow-stewed. A true rural Asturian experience best found in a traditional restaurant in the countryside.

🍽
Covadonga Cake

Look for cakes in local bakeries named after the sanctuary, often made with puff pastry, almonds, and syrup. A sweet souvenir.

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

🛍
Religious Souvenirs

The shops near the basilica sell medals, rosaries, and images of the Virgin of Covadonga.

🛍
Local Honey and Liqueurs

Keep an eye out for small stalls selling honey from the Picos de Europa mountains or herbal liqueurs ('licor de hierbas').

🧘
The Covadonga Lakes

Take the bus up to lakes Enol and Ercina. Despite the busy bus ride, the area around the lakes is vast and has endless opportunities for quiet walks in wide-open scenery.

🧘
Path Behind the Basilica

A short, peaceful walk on the path behind the Basilica provides a different perspective of the building and lovely views of the surrounding mountains.

🧘
The National Park Forest

The sanctuary is surrounded by forest. Just follow any of the marked trails to immerse yourself in the quiet of the Picos de Europa National Park.

Covadonga is a place of immense spiritual and historical significance, positioned within a dramatic mountain landscape in Asturias. The site centers around the Santa Cueva (Holy Cave), where the Virgin of Covadonga is venerated and King Pelayo is buried. Legend has it that the Virgin aided the Christian forces during the Battle of Covadonga in 722, marking the start of the Reconquista. Next to the cave stands the neo-Romanesque Basilica of Santa María la Real de Covadonga, built from pink limestone that contrasts beautifully with the lush green surroundings. High above the sanctuary lie the Lakes of Covadonga, Enol and Ercina, which are iconic features of the Picos de Europa landscape. These glacial lakes are accessible by a winding mountain road and offer wide-open panoramas. The area is a pilgrimage site as much as it is a premier hiking destination. The waterfall beneath the cave adds to the mystical atmosphere of the site. The best time to visit is in late spring or early autumn to avoid the thick mountain fog and heavy summer traffic. It is a place where history, faith, and untamed nature converge in a spectacular alpine setting.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jul–Sep.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C10911121417192019161210
Rain mm117989175625333394897133114

Geography

Population
6,623
Coordinates
43.31211, -5.05888

Facts

  • Holy Cave (Santa Cueva)
  • Virgin of Covadonga
  • Basilica of Santa María
  • Tomb of King Pelayo
  • Enol and Ercina Lakes
  • Site of 722 Battle
  • Waterfall under the cave
  • Picos de Europa National Park

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Cangas de OnísCangas de Onís7 km · NWExplore →
RibadesellaRibadesella17 km · NExplore →
PradoPrado20 km · NWExplore →
Posada de LlanesPosada de Llanes20 km · NEExplore →
Torre de CerredoTorre de Cerredo21 km · SEExplore →
ColungaColunga26 km · NWExplore →
LlanesLlanes27 km · NEExplore →
Cantabrian MountainsCantabrian Mountains35 km · SExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Covadonga (6)

La Grandera🎡 recreation

A zoo in Covadonga where visitors can observe various animal species in a natural setting.

Mirador de los Canónigos🌿 nature

Viewpoint offering panoramic views over the Covadonga lakes and the Picos de Europa mountains.

Cueva de Cuadonga🌿 nature

Holy cave containing the shrine of the Virgin of Covadonga, patroness of Asturias, set in a limestone cliff.

Basílica de Covadonga⛪ religious

Basílica de Covadonga, a neo-Romanesque church in the Picos de Europa.

Ilesia de Santolaya d'Abamia⛪ religious

A remarkable religious building and cultural property near Covadonga in Cangas de Onís, showcasing classic Spanish historical architecture.

Santa Cueva⛪ religious

A highly revered natural cave and religious sanctuary located in Spain, drawing numerous visitors to its tranquil and spiritual atmosphere.

Frequently asked questions

What can you see in the 'Santa Cueva' of Covadonga?
A holy cave with the statue of the Virgin of Covadonga and the tomb of King Pelayo.
What is the Basilica of Covadonga?
An impressive Neo-Romanesque church made of pink limestone, standing high on a hill.
How do you get to the Lakes of Covadonga (Lagos de Covadonga)?
In high season, access for private cars is restricted; regular shuttle buses operate.
Why is Covadonga historically so important for Spain?
The Reconquista began here in 722 AD with the victory over the Moors.
Are there hiking trails there?
Yes, there are beautiful circular hiking trails around lakes Enol and Ercina.
Covadonga: where is it located?
Covadonga is located in Spain.
Covadonga: what is there to see?
Highlights include La Grandera, Mirador de los Canónigos, Cueva de Cuadonga.
Covadonga: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jul, Sep.
Covadonga: why is it worth visiting?
Covadonga is a place of immense spiritual and historical significance, positioned within a dramatic mountain landscape in Asturias.
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